5 Things You Don’t Know About Rowing as a Beginner

Rowing is a sport that often surprises people when they start doing it. They don’t realize how hard the training is, or how close of a bond they will form with their teammates. In this article, we will discuss five things that beginners often don’t know about rowing. We’ll talk about the tough training, the importance of food, the fun regattas, and the early starts and late finishes. Keep reading to learn more!

The Training

Rowing is a sport that requires a tremendous amount of physical and mental stamina. I remember my first year when I had to do three 2k Ergs in a row and then threw up from how hard it was. The training for rowing is long and arduous, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Every time you get out on the water, you push yourself to the limit and beyond. There is nothing quite like the feeling of crossing the finish line, knowing that you have given everything you have to reach your goal. Rowing is a sport that requires dedication and commitment, but it is also one that will provide you with a great sense of satisfaction.

The family you never knew you had

I remember when I first started training. I would be up at 5am to travel to the gym with my teammates. We would train together, shower together, and then go to school together. After school, we would go back to the river to train some more. I would get home around 8pm, and then do the same thing the next day. Over time, I got to know my teammates really well. We would share stories and laugh together. We became like family.

There’s something special about spending a lot of time with your teammates. You get to know them really well, and you start to feel like you’re part of a family. You share the ups and downs together, and you’re there for each other through thick and thin. That’s why it’s not surprising that so many people say their teammates are like family to them.

Of course, spending that much time together does have its challenges. There can be conflict and tension, just like in any family. But at the end of the day, you know that your teammates have your back and that you can count on them. That’s what makes the bond between teammates so special. I always say to one of my best friends (who was one of my teammates) that our lives would have been so boring without each other.

The food

As any elite athlete knows, staying properly fueled is essential to peak performance. When your body is working hard, it burns through calories at an accelerated rate. In order to maintain your energy levels, you need to consume more food than the average person. This means that elite athletes often have to eat multiple meals per day and make sure that they are getting a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. While it can be a challenge to maintain this level of diet, it’s important to do so in order to perform at your best. After all, when you’re an elite athlete, every edge counts.

When I was training I would eat between 4000-5000 calories daily to keep up with the amount of training I was doing, and even then I was still losing weight some weeks. It was hard work but it was totally worth it. I had the body that I wanted and I also had the fitness and stamina to beat my competition!

The Regattas

Regattas are a ton of fun whether you’re racing or spectating. There’s great food, kit stalls selling all the latest rowing gear, and plenty of other rowers to chat with. You’ll make lots of new friends, even if they’re only fleeting acquaintances. The best part is the wait and build-up to your race. There’s an electric atmosphere as everyone gets psyched up to race. When it’s finally your turn, all the nerves and excitement disappear as you focus on powering your boat to the finish line. Whether you win or lose, you’ll have an amazing sense of accomplishment (and relief!) when you cross that line.

The early starts and the late finishes

Rowing is a sport that takes dedication and commitment. If you want to be an elite rower, you have to be willing to put in the hours. That means early starts and late finishes. It can be tough, but it’s all worth it when you’re out on the water, gliding through the water with your teammates. The feeling of accomplishment is unbeatable. Of course, there are downsides to all those early starts and late finishes. It can be hard to get enough sleep, and you miss out on a lot of social events. But ultimately, it’s all worth it when you’re crossing the finish line first. Plus, rowing parties are epic!

FAQ

Q: How hard is the training?

A: The training can be very hard. You have to be willing to put in the hours if you want to be an elite rower. That means early starts and late finishes. But it’s all worth it when you’re out on the water, gliding through the water with your teammates.

Q: What are regattas like?

A: Regattas are a ton of fun whether you’re racing or spectating. There’s great food, kit stalls selling all the latest rowing gear, and plenty of other rowers to chat with.

Q: What are the early starts and late finishes like?

A: The early starts and late finishes can be tough, but it’s all worth it when you’re crossing the finish line first.

Q: How much food do you have to eat?

A: You have to eat a lot of food. I would eat between 4000-5000 calories daily to keep up with the amount of training I was doing, and even then I was still losing weight some weeks.

Q: Is all the hard work worth it?

A: Yes, it is definitely worth it. The feeling of accomplishment is unbeatable. Plus, rowing parties are epic!